The first noble truth of the Buddha is that life contains suffering. The second noble truth is that the cause of suffering is craving.

True freedom is a freedom from the tyranny of our own thoughts and afflictive emotions.

When you realize how perfect everything is, you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky.

The greatest obstacle to meditation is our expectation about what it should be.

The mind is like water. When it's turbulent, it's difficult to see. When it's calm, everything becomes clear.

Faith is the firm foundation, diligence the supporting pillar, and wisdom the roof of the house of practice.

When you listen to someone, you should give up all your preconceived ideas and your subjective opinions.

The archer ceases to be conscious of himself as the one who is engaged in hitting the bull's-eye which confronts him. This state of unconsciousness is realized only when, completely empty and rid of the self, he becomes one with the perfecting of his technical skill.

The obstacle is the path.

The Buddha's teaching is not a philosophical system but a practical guide to living.

Meditation is not about getting away from it all. It's about getting into it all.

The law of nature is the law of cause and effect. As you sow, so shall you reap.

People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they're not on your road doesn't mean they've gotten lost.

The most important thing is to enjoy your life - to be happy. This is the goal of Buddhist practice.

Mindfulness helps you go home to the present. And every time you go there and recognize a condition of happiness that you have, happiness comes.

Whatever is dependently co-arisen, that is explained to be emptiness. That, being a dependent designation, is itself the middle way.

Every moment is a fresh beginning. Every breath is a new chance.

When you practice zazen you should not try to attain anything. You should just sit in the complete calmness of your mind and not rely on anything.

Your work is to discover your work and then with all your heart to give yourself to it.

The real secret of the arts: always be a beginner.

The nature of mind is clearer than the sky, yet we keep looking elsewhere.

The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the green earth, dwelling deeply in the present moment and feeling truly alive.

Through our eyes, the universe is perceiving itself. Through our ears, the universe is listening to its harmonies. We are the witnesses through which the universe becomes conscious of its glory, of its magnificence.

The nature of everything is empty and clear, and the mind is beyond both existence and nonexistence.

Love is not a feeling. It's a capability.

The restraint of the senses is not a matter of suppression but of wise attention to our experience.

Zen is not necessarily against words, but it is well aware of their limitations.

Karma is not fate but the law of moral causation, showing us that we are the architects of our own destiny.

Change is the nature of every phenomenon. Accept this truth and you will live a happy life.

Life is like an ever-shifting kaleidoscope - a slight change, and all patterns alter.

Nothing we see or hear is perfect. But right there in the imperfection is perfect reality.

Try to be mindful and let things take their natural course. Then your mind will become still in any surroundings, like a clear forest pool.

Compassion is the radicalism of our time.